 Widowed Father Holds onto Faith through Jill's HouseFamily Spotlight: The Woodlins
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Gary Woodlin shares how Jill's House helps keep his faith alive after the sudden loss of his beloved wife. |
When Gary Woodlin's wife Antonia died suddenly last year at the age of 38, he was heartbroken and alone as the sole provider for his son Christian, 9, who has autism. "I just couldn't understand why God, who gave us Christian, would take away my helper," said Gary. "That created some dark days, some frustrations and some doubts.
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Antonia would have loved how independent her child, Christian, has become at Jill's House. |
"Even though my wife has passed on, I still know God is powerful. The fact that He is powerful, loving and kind hasn't changed. What has changed, though, is how I think He feels about me. But one thing that keeps me connected, keeps me holding onto my faith, is the experience my son has at Jill's House. When he's there, I know he's at a place that is spiritual, that believes in the Lord. That keeps me connected, prevents me from totally turning around." Read more.
 Please join us in coming alongside the Woodlins and the hundreds of families we serve by donating to Jill's House today.
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Jill's House Recognized for Improving Quality of Life for Military Families
Corporate Partner: Newman's Own
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Denise Daffron (second from left), Jill's House's vice president of advancement, accepts the award from Newman's Own at the Pentagon Hall of Heroes on September 10. |
Out of a field of more than 300 applicants, Jill's House was one of eight non-profit organizations recognized for innovative programs that improve the quality of life for military families.
Newman's Own, Fisher House Foundation and Military Times -- part of Gannett Government Media Corporation -- sponsor the competition, which seeks to reward ingenuity for programs that benefit service men and women and their families.
"Each year we continue to draw inspiration from the selfless ideas of others and are proud to help the organizers take their dreams a few steps forward," said Tom Indoe, president and chief operating officer of Newman's Own.
 To learn how Jill's House serves military families, meet the Johnsons.
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Jill's House Featured on ABC's "Let's Talk Live"
Sharing how regular respite changes lives.
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Dana Hecht, left, on the set of "Let's Talk Live," sharing how regular respite changes lives. |
ABC's "Let's Talk Live" featured Jill's House. Dana Hecht, director of family relations, shared the Jill's House mission and our recent milestone of providing more than a quarter million hours of respite in three short years.
During the interview, Dana explained how services may be available for children with special needs, but almost nothing exists to serve their parents. No center in the world provides more overnight respite to these families than Jill's House, and the milestone of a quarter of a million hours of respite gives families the regular breaks they need to restore marriages, give time to their typical children, and better care for their children with special needs. Watch the interview to learn more.
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Golf with Us and Provide Regular Respite for Courageous Families
Time to tee up for Links for Little Ones!
 Sign up now to help celebrate special children and renew their families at the 13th Annual Links for Little Ones Golf Tournament at 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, Virginia, on Monday, October 14.
As God's hands and feet, we are taught to help others in need. When you play, you help transform marriages, allow people to spend more time with their typical children, and so much more.
Sponsor the tournament with your company or organization, play in the tournament individually, or as a foursome with friends and colleagues, or invite other golfers you may know to join us for this day of fun and inspiration.
To register or learn more, contact Teresa Lee at 703.639.5670 or events@jillshouse.org.
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Greeting Children as They Joyfully Arrive at Jill's House
Volunteer Spotlight: Patti Shipley
 JH: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
PS: My husband and I have moved up and down the East Coast, from Boston to New York to Washington, DC. We have two sons; one is a senior in college, the other a junior in high school. I started volunteering at Jill's House two years ago, and I have received much more from my volunteer experience than I have given.
I work Friday afternoons, greeting families at the front desk when the children arrive for the weekend. The children are so excited! So many times I see the parents begging for a goodbye hug or kiss, but the kids can't wait to run off to start their weekend. These children bring such joy and energy to the building. Jill's House comes alive when the children arrive, and it brings such joy to me, too! Read more.
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Bringing Families Together
Strengthening families physically, emotionally and spiritually
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Families and typical siblings recently joined us for an evening of food, fun and friendship. |
Encouraging friendship and fellowship among the families we serve is critical to building a community where families raising children with special needs can exchange ideas, share joys and concerns, and gain comfort in knowing they are not alone.
"While we provide long breaks to families raising children with intellectual disabilities," said Jessica Oakley, Jill's House's family relations manager, "we also want to do everything we can to bring these courageous families together so they can lean on each other for information, strength and support. We do this with family dinners, meeting over coffee, and Bible study groups. Read more.
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After-School Fun at Jill's House
Photo of the Month: Playground Fun
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Jill's House Fellow Ali Strawhun and Bobby enjoy a cool September afternoon on the playground after school. |
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September 30, 2013
Since opening in October 2010, Jill's House has provided 270,948 hours of respite care. |
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Coming Next
Month!
Online Auction for Redskins Suite
Jill's House corporate partner Acuity, Inc. graciously donated a private luxury box for the Cowboys vs. Redskins game on December 22 at FedEx Field.
The package will be auctioned off via online in October. The highest bidder receives 12 luxury box tickets and buffet passes plus four parking passes. Estimated value of this package is $8,500. More information to come next month! |
October 13, 2013: Fourth Annual Jill's House Open House -- the ONLY time of the year we are open to the public -- 12 noon-5 pm. All invited!
October 14, 2013: Links for Little Ones Golf Tournament, 1757 Golf Club
Save the Date!
April 26, 2014: The Big Band Dance to Benefit Jill's House
June 7, 2014: The Ride for Jill's House: 100-mile motorcycle ride through Northern Virginia
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Give to Jill's House at Work!
Make a lasting difference in the lives of families raising children with special needs when you participate in your employer's Combined Federal Campaign, United Way, or employee giving program.
Your gift gives hundreds of families desperately needed rest and renewal through Jill's House.
There are three easy ways to give to Jill's House from your workplace:
1. Combined Federal Campaign #22742;
2. United Way #8244; or
3. Your own company's employee giving campaign. Many employers will match your gift, please check to see if your company does.
For more information, contact your employer or Althea Katona at 703.639.5699 or althea.katona@jillshouse.org.
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What Our Families Are Saying
"Whatever you all did this past visit really made my daughter's weekend! She felt loved, accomplished, accepted and part of the action! She longs for this at home -- to be with friends, play with them, talk, and everything else! Thank you for helping her do that!"
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Be a Part of Our Team
As Jill's House serves more children, we continue to need great people.
We are currently hiring for the following positions:
-FT Nursing Director
-PT Childcare Specialists
-PT Registered Nurses (RNs)
View complete listing and job descriptions here.
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